REVEALED: NFL commissioner Roger Goodell discussed Jaguars’ $2BILLION stadium proposal with Jacksonville city officials ahead of MNF game

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was reportedly in Jacksonville ahead of Monday night’s game between the Jaguars and Bengals to push city officials on the city’s proposed $2 billion stadium. 

According to the Florida Times-Union, Jacksonville mayor Donna Deegan and city council president Ron Salem met with Goodell before kickoff to discuss a potential partnership for the stadium. 

In June, the Jaguars unveiled renderings of the proposed TIAA Bank Field, boasting a futuristic look in the heart of downtown Jacksonville. 

The stadium will have a concourse four times larger than their current EverBank Stadium, and a 62,000 sitting capacity (expandable to 71,500), per Front Office Sports.

Under one proposal, the Jaguars and the city would split the costs at $1b each. However, securing a deal has proven to be more difficult. 

The Jaguars unveiled renderings of the new stadium and proposed that the city split the cost

Jaguars president Mark Lamping previously had to walk back comments that were characterized as threats to relocate the franchise if the stadium deal is not completed. 

‘If Jacksonville loses an NFL team, they’re never going to get another one,’ Lamping said in September. ‘Do you want to keep the NFL in Jacksonville?’

Bringing Goodell to speak to officials could be a strategic move by the Jaguars to speed up the negotiations. A mayoral spokesperson told the Times-Union that the city is still months away from solidifying a deal. 

The Jaguars joined the NFL as an expansion team in 1995 and have since resided in 67,814-capacity EverBank Stadium. 

As a franchise, the Jaguars have won four divisional championships after eight playoff appearances. 

With a 8-4 record, the Jaguars are currently on top of the AFC South. However, their season may have taken a bad turn after franchise quarterback Trevor Lawrence sprained his ankle in the loss to Cincinnati.

The Jaguars have five games remaining this season, starting with the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.